Bob Barry Sr. Will Return For One More Year As OU's Play-By-Play Man

Jan. 12, 2001

NORMAN, Okla. - Coming off one of the greatest football seasons at the University of Oklahoma, OU Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione announced today that award-winning broadcaster Bob Barry Sr. will return for one more season as the Sooners' football play-by-play announcer. He will call his 41st season of college football with former OU Assistant Head Coach Merv Johnson.

While it was announced last June that Barry would no longer be doing football play-by-play for the Sooners following the 2000 season, OU President David L. Boren and Castiglione felt that it was very important to have continuity throughout the football program after such an historic season.

"We are looking forward to working with Bob for another season," Castiglione said. "One of our greatest strengths as an athletic program is that we continue to have good people working around outstanding student-athletes and coaches. We appreciate Bob's hard work and loyalty to OU athletics and our broadcast properties."

OU President David Boren said, "Bob Barry in many ways represents the best of our Sooner spirit. He is no fair weather fan. In good times and tough times, Bob Barry has been a loyal and enthusiastic Sooner supporter. It's only right that he should do the play-by-play in this year when OU reigns as National Champion."

Barry, voted Oklahoma Sportscaster of the Year 15 times, was selected in 1961 by Bud Wilkinson to be a part of OU broadcasts. He is currently in his 23rd year as the voice of Sooner basketball as well. He began his broadcasting career at KOMA radio while he was in high school. Upon graduating from Oklahoma City's Classen High School, he attended OU, playing for the Sooners' freshman baseball team.

"I have really been energized by the success of the Oklahoma football team," said Barry. "I want to thank President Boren and Joe Castiglione for their support. I also look forward to working another season with Merv Johnson, who I consider one of the most knowledgeable analysts I have ever shared a radio booth with."

Barry joined WKY-TV (now KFOR) in 1966 and has been anchoring sportscasts there since that time, currently serving as the station's weekday sports anchor after relinquishing sports director duties to his younger son, Bob Barry Jr. For his many years of distinguished accomplishments in radio and television, he was named the 1993 recipient of the "Pioneer Award" presented by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Last year, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

"It will be great to have Bob Barry and Merv Johnson back in the booth together for another season of Oklahoma football," said Jeff Tennant, General Manager for Sooner Sports Properties. "The excitement on the field certainly came through during the broadcasts this season, and I believe that will continue next year."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Bob Barry Sr. Will Return For One More Year As OU's Play-By-Play Man

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